W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

Paul D Gassler

Cody L Hartman

William C Bruchman

Peter J Walsh

Edward H Cully

Jeffrey B Duncan

Charles F White

Mark D Edmundson

Bill R Finney

Bruce M Steinhaus

Nathan L Friedman

Justin John Skaife

Scott J Zero

Austin J Crouse

Sean R Coyer

Implantable grafts, particularly for arteriovenous access that may be punctured by an object such as a needle and, following removal of the object, will reseal the resulting hole to the extent of reducing fluid leakage through the graft at the puncture site to an amount less than would be typical for a conventional graft. More particularly, the grafts comprise three layers; an inner layer of implantable graft material such as ePTFE, a middle layer of self sealing elastomeric material such as silicone, and an outer layer of implantable graft material such as ePTFE. Following manufacture, the tubular form of the three-layer graft is everted to put substantially the entire wall thickness of the elastomeric material layer under circumferential compression.

Puncturable and resealable graft

A medical device comprises a substrate () defining a major surface () defining a plane, including a plurality of first struts () along a first direction interconnected with a plurality of second struts () extending along a second direction not parallel with the first direction, wherein widths () of the second struts as measured along the major surface are larger than thicknesses of the second struts as measured perpendicular to the major surface such that when the substrate is stretched in the first direction, intermediate sections () of the second struts () rotate relative to the first struts () and the intermediate sections of the second struts bend out of the plane of the major surface. The medical device is operable to extend and/or retract elements suitable for a particular purpose. The elements are extended and/or retracted in response to a stress applied by way of stretching and/or retracting the device, among other methods. The elements may remain extended and/or retracted or may recoil back to an initial position upon the removal of the force. In various embodiments, the elements are used to treat or deliver treatment to a target site within a body.

Substrate with rotatable struts for medical device

The present disclosure is flexible and stretchable conductive articles that include a printed circuit and a stretchable substrate. The printed circuit contains an electrically conductive trace. The electrically conductive trace may be positioned on the surface of or be imbibed into the pores through the thickness of a synthetic polymer membrane. The synthetic polymer membrane is compressed in the x-y direction such that buckling of the membrane occurs in the z-direction. Additionally, the synthetic polymer membrane may be porous or non-porous. In some embodiments, the synthetic polymer membrane is microporous. The printed circuit may be discontinuously bonded to the stretchable substrate. Advantageously, the flexible, conductive articles retain conductive performance over a range of stretch. In some embodiments, the conductive articles have negligible resistance change when stretched up to 50% strain. The printed circuits may be integrated into garments, such as smart apparel or other wearable technology.

Flexible and stretchable printed circuits on stretchable substrates

The present invention is directed to flexible conductive articles () that include a printed circuit () and a stretchable or non-stretchable substrate (). In some embodiments, the substrate has a printed circuit on both sides. The printed circuit contains N therein a porous synthetic polymer membrane () and an electrically conductive trace () as well as a non-conducive region (). The electrically conductive trace is imbibed or otherwise incorporated into the porous synthetic polymer membrane. In some embodiments, the synthetic polymer membrane is microporous. The printed circuit may be discontinuously bonded to the stretchable or non-stretchable substrate by adhesive dots (). The printed circuits may be integrated into garments, such as smart apparel or other wearable technology.

Flexible and durable printed circuits on stretchable and non-stretchable substrates

Devices for collecting and analyzing a fluid sample comprise a fluid-collecting porous material comprising at least one hydrophilic porous layer and one or more sensors adapted to provide a response to the presence of an analyte. The detectors are useful for collecting and analyzing a very small volume of sample and may include features that facilitate and direct flow of the sample through porous material.

Fluid handling detectors

The present invention is directed to flexible printed circuits for dermal applications that include a synthetic polymer membraneand at least one electrically conductive trace. In an alternative embodiment, the electrically conductive trace is located on both sides of the microporous synthetic polymer membrane. The electrically conductive trace may be located on the surface of or be imbibed into the pores and through the thickness of a microporous synthetic polymer membrane. The flexible printed circuits may be electrically coupled to an electronic component to form a flexible printed circuit board and adhered to the skinby a dermally acceptable adhesive. The flexible printed circuit or the flexible printed circuit board may be coupled to an electronic moduleto form a hybrid flexible printed circuit board. The flexible printed circuit, flexible printed circuit board, and hybrid flexible printed circuit board achieve a balance of comfort, flexibility, and durability for on-skin use.

Flexible printed circuits for dermal applications

Described embodiments are related to a prosthetic valve for surgical placement with a sewing cuff durably attached to a frame. The durability of the attachment is accomplished by sandwiching a fabric between the frame and a composite material. The fabric extends beyond the frame base to form a sewing cuff that is integral to a frame assembly. The sewing cuff facilitates tissue ingrowth while tissue ingrowth is discouraged elsewhere around the frame.

Frame with integral sewing cuff for prosthetic valves

Methods are presented that provide a thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite material that is suitable for use in prosthetic valves. The composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to prosthetic valve leaflets. The composite material includes more than one porous expanded fluoropolymer layer and an elastomer present in the pores of the porous expanded fluoropolymer.

Methods of making a durable multi-layer high strength polymer composite suitable for prosthetic valves

Thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite materials are disclosed that are suitable for use in a prosthetic valve for regulating blood flow direction. In one aspect, the leaflet material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as a prosthetic heart valve leaflet. The leaflet material includes a coherent single layer and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer is present in the pores of the porous coherent single layer.

Coherent single layer high strength synthetic polymer composites for prosthetic valves

Thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite materials are disclosed that are suitable for use in a valve for regulating blood flow direction. In one aspect, the composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as a prosthetic heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes a porous polymer membrane and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer fills substantially all of the pores of the porous polymer membrane.

Durable high strength polymer composites suitable for implant and articles produced therefrom

A thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite material is disclosed that is suitable for use in various implanted configurations. The composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as heart pacing lead or heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes at least one porous expanded fluoropolymer layer.

Methods of making durable multi-layer high strength polymer composite suitable for implant and articles produced therefrom

A thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite material is disclosed that is suitable for use in various implanted configurations. The composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as a prosthetic heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes at least one porous expanded fluoropolymer layer and an elastomer present in the pores of the porous expanded fluoropolymer.

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Lincoln University, PA, United States of America

Paul D Gassler